The United States and Great Power Responsibility in International Society: Drones, Rendition and Invasion

This book evaluates American foreign policy actions from the perspective of the idea of great power responsibility, with three case studies on Operation Iraqi Freedom, American drone strikes in Pakistan and the post- 9/11 practice of extraordinary rendition. Drawing on the English School of International Relations, Aslam argues that as a great power in international society, the United States has an obligation to act responsibly and to protect international order. The argument points to three obligations of great powers: to act according to the norm of legality, to act according to the norm of legitimacy, and to adhere to the principles of prudence. The author applies the criteria of legality, legitimacy and prudence to analyse the three foreign policy endeavours of the United States. Developing a normative framework using the English School concerning what it means to be a responsible great power, this book clarifies the implications of the evaluation for the future American foreign policy. It will be of strong interest to students and scholars of international relations, international relations theory, American politics, foreign policy studies,international law and South Asian studies.